Live marathon ‘viewerthons’ most welcome

As we continue to bask in Eliud Kipchoge’s world marathon record glory as a nation, I must note that the athletics viewing sessions, popularly known as “viewerthons” across the Rift Valley region caught my eye.

Perhaps this is the way to go if we are to inspire more talent at the grass roots to take up athletics.

The idea, mooted by my friend Elias Makori, is gaining popularity on the ground like bush fire, and I am happy more corporate organisations are buying into it, with Bank of Africa having been pioneers in sponsoring these “viewerthons” that also afford athletes the opportunity to undergo seminars in various relevant topics like personal finance, investment, banking, taxation and anti-doping, among others.

You will be surprised just how many people attended the viewerthon sessions in Eldoret, Kapsabet and Iten!

I was surprised the Kapsabet event attracted both the old and new athletes, among them legends, pioneer athletes Ben Kogo, Naftali Bonn and Fatwell Kimaiyo.

Congrats too to Nandi Governor Stephen Sang for buying into the idea and Athletics Kenya President Lt Gen (rtd) Jackson Tuwei for sending me to represent the federation.

We actually created our “Berlin Marathon” back home, and it felt like watching the race live in the German capital.

It was especially interesting considering we had to exchange notes with athletics enthusiasts and catch up with the men and women who have made the sport what it is today.

Meanwhile, I want to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate Kipchoge for not only a job well done, but for also putting the nation on the world map once again.

Imagine the millions of people who watched the race around the globe and those who googled to locate Kenya, just because of Kipchoge.

Of course 2:01:39 world record in the 42-kilometre race is no mean achievement and I must say he deserves it.

However, one thing I know is that it’s only Kipchoge who can break this record in the near future, and I must admit it is in very safe hands.

Being the Olympic champion, I know “Kip” still has a lot up his sleeves to offer and we can only sit back and watch things unfold.

However, through this excitement, we seem to have forgotten Gladys Cherono who bagged the women’s title in Berlin a course 2:18.11.

This was no mean achievement considering that she was racing against Ethiopian duo of Ruti Aga and Tirunesh Dibaba, both of whom ran sub 2:19 times.

Our second placed finisher Amos Kipruto and bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang, who completed the podium to ensure a Kenyan sweep, also deserve some accolades after proving to the world that we are still a force to reckon with.

In future races, starting with Chicago next month, the viewerthons should be the way to go.

Let us bring the competition to the people, and not merely watch the English Premier League football on television.